Best Public Schools in Broadway, VA

The public schools in Broadway, Virginia, are part of Rockingham County Public Schools and include three schools—Broadway High, J. Frank Hillyard Middle, and John C. Myers Elementary—serving grades PK through 12 in a small Shenandoah Valley community.

John C. Myers Elementary is the clear standout despite having the highest poverty rate (66.4% free/reduced lunch). It outperforms both the district and state in nearly every subject—for example, 5th-grade science proficiency is 83.8% vs. 72.1% district and 68.8% state—while posting a remarkably low chronic absenteeism rate of 5.7%. Its state ranking jumped from the 45th to the 60th percentile in just two years. In contrast, J. Frank Hillyard Middle is the weakest by rank (39th percentile) and shows a puzzling split: 8th-grade Algebra I proficiency is a perfect 100%, but reading proficiency lags the state by 8–10 points at every grade level. Broadway High is the district’s highest-ranked school (72nd percentile, 4 stars) with a 95.5% graduation rate and strong math/science scores, yet it struggles with the highest chronic absenteeism (16.2%) and a stunning 12th-grade reading proficiency collapse to 54.5% vs. 70.2% statewide.

Key takeaways for parents: the elementary school proves that high poverty does not have to limit achievement, and its low absenteeism and higher per-student spending ($10,664) suggest strong family engagement and effective resource use. Middle school math is excellent, but weak reading at this level is a red flag for future high school success. Broadway High is improving quickly and graduates students at a high rate, but seniors’ reading struggles and absenteeism need attention. Per-student spending decreases as school level rises ($10,664 elementary, $9,468 middle, $9,100 high), and with nearly identical student-teacher ratios, the differences likely reflect support services rather than class sizes. Overall, this small district offers strong early education, a mixed middle school experience, and a rising high school whose main risks are attendance and senior literacy.